NASA discovers first Earth-sized planets beyond our Solar System

The Huntsville Times ^ | 12/20/11 | Lee Roop

[CodeToad]

Except that isn’t the definition of a paradox. Lack of evidence to date isn’t proof that there isn’t any, therefore, it doesn’t conflict with the estimates that there should be intelligent life.

[POWERSBOOTHEFAN]

Science is awesome!

[GonzoGOP]

They are heat blasted rocks, rather that "Earths". But the fact that we can see something that small, that close to their parent star, is a major achievement. They are finding planets everywhere. Now they know they can spot something as small as Earth. Finding one in the habitable zone is now just a matter of probability and persistence.

What happens after that is of course just conjecture. We can do spectral analysis of the atmosphere, if it has one. Then if you find both organics and free O2 you know you have something. But all that is for later. Today just raise a glass to the Kepler team. Job well done,

[fieldmarshaldj]

We have yet to find much of that on earth.

[central_va]

Lack of evidence to date isn’t proof that there isn’t any

Yes it really does, try reading it. It is pretty well thought out by a mathematical genius.

[dragnet2]

Sorry to rain on the life on other planets parade but we are alone.

We should have just asked you first, instead of doing all this research and exploration.

[central_va]

Try reading the Fermi Paradox. Then get back to me.

[GonzoGOP]

Sorry to rain on the life on other planets parade but we are alone. Read Enrico Fermi's The Fermi Paradox. Pretty much proves there are no other intelligent civilizations out there.

It is actually misnamed. It is only a paradox if you put the right numbers into the Drake Equation. Too many people view intelligent, and most importantly technological life is an automatic product of life. Yet even Earth appears to state otherwise. For the vast majority of the time life has existed it consisted of nothing more that bacteria. Even when complex life appeared it took a long time to get out of the oceans. And it probably only did that in tidal zones. But tidal zones require a big honking moon in a regular orbit. However it turns out the type of collision that could create one is so improbable that nobody would expect to see one, if there wasn't one hanging in the sky every night. If you don't move onto the land you don't get fire. No fire, no other technology.

And then when you moved onto land for most planets the size of Earth you would get zapped by solar radiation. On Earth we have a strong magnetic field because that same ridiculously improbable collision that gave us the moon also gave us a planetary core twice as big as it should be. Without the magnetic field we would look like Mars.

The technological, land dwelling life on Earth is the result of winning the Lunar Lotto.
Now simple life is another matter. And you can spot that with Kepler due to the unique spectral signature of free O2 and organics in the atmosphere. They should wipe each other out unless something is replenishing the supply. Life is by far the most likely culprit. Even if ET is only a bacteria, its existence would be a game changer. Be it found in the seas of Europa, the geysers of Enceladus or on some exoplanet. We would not be alone. It would just be that the neighbors were slime.

[central_va]

It would just be that the neighbors were slime.

Not sure why this is possibility is intellectually thrilling but to each his own I guess.

[dragnet2]

Oh stop with the Fermi Paradox BS.

Ya think he’s some kind of super human, super genius being, who is able to see into every planet, every star system, and every galaxy in the entire universe, do some math and say, “We are all alone”...lol

Do you have any idea how asinine and arrogant that is?

[himno hero]

I think Fermi might well be a smart man. Figures do not lie, but liars always figure. Anyone can cast a slant on the facts, remember? “if the gluv done fit you gotta acquit?”

I also think if we start with the premise that we are still cavemen with caveman tools we are probably closer to the truth. There are far greater paradoxes of space and time travel but the chapters are not organized that way. Try reading the Bible.

To think of all the planets that exist and then suggest that we are the only one that has life is a little narrow minded and short sighted.

[central_va]

The point of the theorem is to derive a conclusion based on a mathematical model. Let's see, I could go with your pure emotional argument or with Fermi's deductive logic. Hmmmm. I pick Fermi, sorry you lose.

Enrico Fermi (29 September 1901 – 28 November 1954)[1] was an Italian-born, naturalized American physicist particularly known for his work on the development of the first nuclear reactor, Chicago Pile-1, and for his contributions to the development of quantum theory, nuclear and particle physics, and statistical mechanics. He was awarded the 1938 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on induced radioactivity.

Fermi is widely regarded as one of the leading scientists of the 20th century, highly accomplished in both theory and experiment.[2] Along with J. Robert Oppenheimer,[3] he is frequently referred to as "the father of the atomic bomb".[4][5] He also held several patents related to the use of nuclear power.

Several awards, concepts, and institutions are named after Fermi, such as the Enrico Fermi Award,[6] the Enrico Fermi Institute, the Fermi National Accelerator Lab, the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, the Enrico Fermi Nuclear Generating Station, a class of particles called fermions, the synthetic element fermium, and many more.

[Graybeard58]

Yeah. New Horizons is hauling butt for a Pluto flyby in 2015 at around 9 miles per second. Its currently about 3 hours and 10 light minutes out.

Lets see, 190 light minutes times 60 equals 11,400 light seconds, times 186,000 equals............... I don't even want to do that math.

[central_va]

To think of all the planets that exist and then suggest that we are the only one that has life is a little narrow minded and short sighted.

Actually the converse of your statement is true. It is hard to accept but we are alone in the universe. All these Earth like planets are just pretty marbles.....

[dragnet2]

The point of the theorem is to derive a conclusion based on a mathematical bla bla bla..

No sale.

I personally believe, in my opinion, the universe is loaded with life, regardless of what Mr. Enrico Fermi says or believes.

Good grief man, after thousands of years, we can't even get to our nearest planetary neighbor, but ya buy into some guys theory which claims there is no life on trillions of other planetary systems?

Lets get real here.

[central_va]

Did you read Fermi’s Paradox? It starts out with your suggestion with all the planets and 14 Billion years of evolution there just has to be other intelligent life? Well that is the Paradox. READ IT!

[dragnet2]

Yeah, I’ve looked at this guys claims. His claims are old news. Again, no sale.

Mr. Enrico Fermi has not a clue what exists in this universe.

[GonzoGOP]

Not sure why this is possibility is intellectually thrilling

Spent the last day arguing with a young earth creationist on another thread. Even if there is slime on another world it sure as heck didn't walk there from the Garden of Eden. It ends certain arguments permanently.

[Oceander]

Selling tickets?!? Heck, start selling plots of land!

[central_va]

It ends certain arguments permanently

Which argument is that?